Selective printing arrangement



Dec. 19, 1961 w. RITZERFELD EI'AL 3,013,485

SELECTIVE PRINTING ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 8, 1960 Jnvemorw um I W? N M & iii/k4,

Dec. 19, 1961 w. RITZERFELD ETAL 3,013,486

SELECTIVE PRINTING ARRANGEMENT Filed March 8, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 you:

3,913,486 SELECTEVE PRENTENG ARRANGEMENT Wilhelm Ritzerteld, Schoriemer Alice 14, Berlin-Dahiem, Germany, and Gerhard Ritzerield, Franzenshader Str. 21, Berlin-Grunewald, Germany Filed Mar. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 13,638

@iairns priority, application Germany Mar. 13, 1959 29 Claims. (Ci. lob-132.5)

The present invention relates to a selective printing arrangement, and more particularly to a duplicating machine of the type in which the counter pressure roller is moved to a printing position when a selected section of a printing form-passes through the printing line.

in our copending application Serial No. 628,933, filed December 17, 1956, now US. Patent No. 2,953,087, a printing machine for selective printing is disclosed which employs sensing means for sensing markings provided on the printing form, or a sheet attached to the printing form. Each marking is correlated with a specific printing section, and when the respective printing section passes through the printing line, the sensing means sense the correlated marking and eiiect actuation of operating means by which the counter pressure roller is moved to the printing position in which the respective section of the printing form is printed on a copy sheet.

This arrangement has the disadvantage that the sensing means must be placed in the region of the printing line, since the operating means of the counter pressure roller must be actuated when the respective section of the printing form passes through the printing line. Since the markings have to be located adjacent the correlated section of the printing form, the sensing means must be located in the region of the printing line to control the operating means at the moment in which the respective correlated printing section passes through the printing line.

it is one object of the present invention to overcome this disadvantage, and to provide a printing arrangement of this type in which the sensing station is spaced from the printing line in circumferential direction of the printing roller.

Another object of the present invention is to provide storing means for storing an impulse transmitted by the sensing means when the same senses a marking, and to efiect the actuation of the operating means for the counter pressure roller under control of the storing means later when the respective correlated printed section passes through the printing line.

Another object of the present invention is to provide contact means which are operated by a rotary member moving in synchronism with the printing roller to close the circuit of electromagnetic operating means for the counter presesure roller only when the same was prepared by closing a relay switch.

With these objects in view, the present invention relates to a printing machine for selective printing, and comprises a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to the rollers; sheet means mounted on the peripheral surface of the printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with the printing sections; sensing means located before the printing line in direction of rotation of the printing roller for successively sensing the markings during rotation of the printing roller before the respective correlated printing section passes through the printing line; storing means controlled by the sensing means and assuming a storing condition when the same senses a marking; and circuit means including switch means ac- .tuated by the storing means when the same is in the storing condition, contact means operatlvely connected to the printing roller for synchronous actuation so as to be closed whenever a printing section passes through the printing line, and electric operating means operatively connected to one of said rollers, preferably the counter pressure roller, for moving the same to and from a printing position. Since each marking is sensed, and the circuit means prepared by closin the switch means,

store the correlated printing section passes through the printing line, the counter pressure roller is moved to the printing position for printing the respective printing section on a copy sheet a certain time after the sensing operation is completed.

Due to the fact that the sensing means is spaced from the printing line in direction of rotation of the printing roller, the sensing impulse produced by a specific marking must be stored until the respective printing section correlated with the marking passes through the printing line.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the storing means include a plurality of relay means respectively correlated with the printing sections and each relay means controls a switch means connected in the circuit of electromagnetic operating means for the counter pressure roller.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the circuit of the electromagnetic operating means includes a plurality of first contacts respectively correlated with the printing sections, a second contact, and a rotary member controlled by the printing roller for connecting the second contact with any first contact whose correlated printing section passes through the printing line.

The preferred sensing means includes a source of light, and a photo cell for receiving light reflected from the surface of the printing form and from the markings. The photo cell is connected to the grid of a thyratron which ignites when the sensing means sense a marking and efiects energization of the relay means. A rotary switch means is located in the same circuit and successively connects each of the relay means into the circuit during rotation of the printing roller. While the photoelectric sensing means and the thyratron are arranged in series with all relay means, only a single relay means is energized by the rotary switch means in synchronism with the rotation of the printing roller so that only the relay means correlated with a specific printing section is energized when the respective printing section passes through the printing line.

The relays are provided with holding contacts, and preferably with contacts for illuminating a signal light. A clearing switch is connected in series with the relay means, and is operated by a cam under control of the printing roller to disconnect all relay means at the end of a revolution of the printing roller.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view of a rotary printing machine employing one embodiment of the present invention, one side wall of the machine being omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a shifting arrangement for the sensing means of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the electric circuits used in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a printing roller 4 rotates with a shaft 211 which also carries a cam 152, and another cam 49. Gears 83,

35 and 36 by a pin 37. A spring 41 acts on the toggle levers 35, 36 to hold the counter pressure roller 19 in a position spaced from the ting roller. electromagnetic means 31 is enwhen ' o a printing position in close proximity with .ce of the printing roller 4 so that the two rollers define a printing line extending in the axial plane A pr'nti form 1 is secured to the peripheral surface roller 4, and passes through the printing line I nting roller turns. Feeding means for copy secets are provided and include a pair of transporting 1 2'7, 33 which feed each copy sheet to the printing ".Len counter pressure roller 11 is moved to its position while a selected section of the printing es through the printing line, the respective seei unprinted on the copy sheet. Counter pressure rode" it is retracted when undesired sections of the printin form 1 pass through the printing line.

inting form 1 is best seen in MG. 2 and is provided with printing sections P1, P2 and so forth, each of which can be selected for printing by operation of the electromagnetic means 31. Markings 136 are correlated with each printing section P1, P2 and so forth. The first printing sections, corresponding to a head portion of the text, have markings correlated therewith which include a plurality of marks spaced in axial direction. Other p: sting sections, for example the printing section P4, have a single marking which is spaced in axial direction from the single markings which are correlated with other printing sections.

The marks may be perforations, black or White marks, colored marks, or magnetized marks consisting of graphite. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, markings 125 have different light reflecting properties than the surface on which they are marked. For example, nzarks 136 may be produced by typewriter, or by a pencil, i entered by the operator in axial alignment with the rinting sections P1, P2 and so forth.

The sheet means 1 has been referred to as printing form. but in a narrower sense, only the portion 1a having the printing sections thereon is the printing form proper, while the portion 117 carries the markings 136. Portion 1b may be a separate sheet, and attached to the portion 1a in accordance with a particular program.

The portion 1/) of the sheet means, and more particularly markings 136, are sensed by photoelectric sensing means which include a source of light 137 projecting a t retiected from the surface of portion 1b or by a arking 135. The direction of rotation of the printing ier is clockwise as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1 l the photoelectric sensing means are located circumitislly spaced from the printing plane A-B, so that the marking 136 correlated to each printing section passes the photoelectric sensing means before the respective printing section passes through the printing line.

As best seen in the diagram of FIG. 3, a source of direct current 135 is bridged by voltage divider including the resistors R1, R2, R3 and R4, which is variable and connected through a pair of resistors R5 to the grid 143 f a thyrctron 142. The photocell 135 is connected to aim located between resistors R5. The negative bias control grid 143 can be adjusted by the po- 1' If photo cell 135 is illuminated by ig'nt 138, a current flows to the control grid :3 whicn locks the thyratron. When a marking 136 the beam of light 133, less light is re- )1 O tentiomet flected, and the negative grid bias voltage is reduced so that a current flows through the thyratron.

The positive terminal of the source of direct current 139 is connected through mass to a plurality of relays 145. Each relay 145 is connected to a first contact member T1 to T8 which are associated with a circular contact 141. Rotary member 14011 which rotates in synchronism with printing roller 4, has a conductive bridge member 144 which successively connects each contact member T1 to T3 with the circular contact 141 during rotation of the printing roller 4 and of the rotary arm member 1400. Circular contact member 14-1 is connected to the anode of the thyratron 142 whose cathode is connected to a clearing switch 149 which is normally closed and connected to the negative terminal of the source of direct current 139. Cam 152 rotates with printing roller 4, and opens clearing contact 149 at the end of each revolution of printing roller 4.

In this manner, a first circuit means is provided which includes the windings of relays 145, the contact means T1 to T8, bridging conductor 144, circular contact 141, the thyratron 142, and the clearing switch 149. This first circuit is interrupted when the thyratron 142 is inoperative, but whenever thyratron 142 closes the circuit under control of the photo cell 135, all relays 145 are connected at one terminal into the circuit, but each relay is successively energized when the rotary contact arm a passes over the respective correlated contact T1 to T8.

Each relay means controls switch means which include a holding contact means 146 which connects the winding of the relay through clearing switch 149 to the source of direct current 139 so that the relay means remains in energized condition after the respective marl:- ing 136 has passed the photoelectric sensing means 135, 137 and the thyratron 142 is extinguished. A second contact means 147 is controlled by each relay means 145 to connect an indicating lamp 147a into the circuit, so that the energized condition of the respective relay 145 is indicated.

The switch means 143 of each relay means 145 are connected into a second circuit which includes the winding of the electromagnetic means 31 by which the counter pressure roller is operated, as explained above. The second circuit means further includes a circular contact 1e10, a plurality of contact members Z1 to Z8, and a bridging conductor 151 on rotary member 140a. Every time a contact member Z1 to Z8 is connected to contact 141a, the circuit of the electromagnetic means 31 is prepared, but the circuit is only closed when one of the relay means 145 is energized and operates the respective switch means 148.

A manually operated switch Tel is connected in par- .llel with each holding contact means 146 so that the respective relay 145 can be energized by a manual operation.

As shown in FIG. 2, the markings 136 of different printing sections are offset in axial direction of the printing roller. The photoelectric sensing means, including the photo cell 135, is mounted on a support 45 having a toothed edge cooperating with a pawl including a locking portion 51, and a holding portion 50. A spring 52 is connected to a handle portion 80 of support 45 and urges the same to move to the right as viewed in FIG. 2, which is not possible as long as locking portion 51 engages the toothed portion of support 45. Shaft 21 of printing roller 4 carries cam 49 which has a single recess, as best seen in FIG. 1. The peripheral cam track of cam 49 is engaged by the roller 46 of a cam follower member 47 which is urged by spring 48 into engagement with cam 49. The other end of cam follower member 47 is connected to the portion 50 of the shifting pawl 50, 51. When the recess in cam 49 passes roller 46, shifting means 50, 51 performs a pivotal releasing movement in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, so that locking portion 51 releases support 45 which moves one step under the action of spring 52 until holding portion 5% stops this movement. When roller 46 leaves the recess in cam 49, shifting means 56*, 51 is turned in counter clockwise direction to the initial position shown in 2. Consequently, the photoelectric sensing means will move one step in axial direction at the end of each revolution of the printing roller, so that during one revolution, for example, the marking 136 correlated to the printing section P4 will be sensed, while during the next following revolution the marking 1'36 correlated to the printing section P5 will be sensed. In this manner, a different marking can be sensed during each revolution of the printing roller. If several marks are provided adjacent each other in axial direction, as shown for the printing sections P1, P2, and P3, impulses will be produced in the photoelectric sensing means during each revolution of the printing roller.

The above-described arrangement operates as follows: The operator selects desired printing sections by providing markings 136 in the portion 1b adjacent the selected printing sections, for example adjacent printing section P4. The respective marking will be sensed during the second revolution of the printing roller, while during the first revolution of the printing roller the markings associated with the printing sections P1, P2, and P3 will be sensed. The machine is started, and printing roller 4 starts to rotate together with cam 152, and rotary member 140a. At first, the beam of light 138 falls on the white surface of the sheet portion 12) and is reflected into the photo cell 135. A current flows from the photo cell 135 to the grid 143 of the thyratron which produces a bias voltage on resistor R5 locking thyratron 142.

Before a marking 13o passes the beam of light 138, bridging conductor 144 connects contact member T1 with contact ring 141 so that a connection with thyratron 142 and with the winding of the respective correlated relay 145 is established. Contact member T1 is correlated to the first printing section Pi, and when a marking 136 associated with the first printing section P1 passes the beam of light 138, less light is reflected into the photo cell 135 so that the negative grid bias voltage of the thyratron 142 is reduced, and the anode current of the thyratron 142 passes through the winding of the relay 145 correlated to the printing section Pl.

An ignited thyratron cannot be influenced by the grid bias voltage, but when the beam 138 has passed beyond the marking 136, contact T1 is still connected into the circuit by bridging member 144, so that the thyratron 142 remains ignited so that the respective relay 145 is energized for a sufilciently long time to actuate switches 146, 147 and 148. The energized condition of the respective relay is indicated by indicating lamp 1470: when contact 147 closes. Holding contact 145 connects the relay winding through clearing switch 149 to the negative terminal of the source of direct current 1?)? so that the relay 145 stores the impulse received through the thyratron 142 from the photoelectric sensing means after continued movement of rotary member l iila has disconnected contact member T1.

The above-described first circuit is closed before the respective printing section P1 has passed through the printing line, since the photoelectric sensing means are angnlarly spaced from the printing line. Due to the fact that the impulse is stored in the storing relay 145, the electromagnetic operating means 31 can be actuated later, when the respective printing section Pi passes througl the printing line.

The transporting rollers 27 and 38 feed a copy sheet to the printing line between printing roller 4 and counter pressure roller 1G. Rotary member 149a continues its turning movement, and when the printing section Pl passes through the printing line, the bridging conductor 151 con meets the contact member Z1 to the ring contact 141a. Contacts-T1 and 211 are angularly spaced corresponding to the angular distance between the photoelectric sensing-- means 135, 137 and the printing line. A circuit is completed through the closed switch means of the energized relay 14S correlated with the first printing section P1 and the winding of the electromagnetic operating means 31 so that the armature 33 is shifted, and counter pressure roller 10 is moved to its printing position pressing the copy sheet against the selected printing section P1 of the printing form. When the rotary arm member 140a passes beyond contact member Z1, the circuit of electromagnetic means 31 is interrupted, and spring 4i retracts the counter pressure roller 10, so that the following portion of the printing form 1 passes through the printing line without producing an imprint, except if the respective following printing section has been selected for printing by a mark 136 which can be sensed by the photoelectric sensing means.

If it is desired to efi'ect printing of a printing section of the printing form where no marking was provided, the respective manually operated switch, for example the switch Ta -i is operated so that the respective relay is energized and effects printing of the respective printing section as explained above since the switch means 148 is closed by the energized relay.

As explained above, each relay means, when energized, remains in the energized storing condition until after the respective correlated printing section has passed through the printing line. At the end of each revolution, cam 152 opens clearing switch 149 so that the energized relay means are disconnected, and the respective switches 146, 147 and 148 open whereby the initial condition of the apparatus is restored.

After each revolution, cam 49 effects shifting of the photoelectric sensing means through one step in axial direction. If the markings are provided as shown in FIG. 2, the first three printing sections will be printed during the first revolution. During the second revolution, the photoelectric sensing means are shifted one step, so that the first four printing sections will produce imprints on the copy sheet. During the third revolution, the first three printing sections will produce adjacent imprints on the copy sheet, the printing section P4 will be passed by and an imprint of printing section P5 will be made on the copy sheet adjacent the imprint of the printing section P3.

When a blocking member 43 is shifted from the position indicated in solid lines in FIG. 2 to the position indicated in dash-dot lines, the arm 5600f shifting means 59, 51 is blocked, and the shifting means cannot shift support 45 and photoelectric sensing means 135, 137 even if cam follower roller 46 passes the recess in cam 49. The handle portion 5th: may be used for manually operating the shifting pawl Sil, 51 when locking member 43 is retracted. Operation of shifting means 5'0, 51 will shift the photoelectric sensing means to the right as viewed in FIG. 2, and by operation of the handle 8i), the photoelectric sensing means and support 45 can be moved to the left as viewed in FIG. 2 to the illustrated initial position.

From the above description of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, it will become apparent that the It will be understood that each'of the -elcmentsdescribed above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of printing machines differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described 7 I as embodied in an arrangement for selective printingina eluding sensing means and storing means for storing in- 7 formation sensed by the sensing means, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller, one of said rollers being movable to and from a printing position located in close proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing sections; sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of rotation of said printing roller, said sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing roller and movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line; storing means connected to and controlled by said sensing means and assuming a storing condition when the same senses a marking; and circuit means including switch means connected to and actuated by said storing means in said storing condition, contact means operatively connected to said printing roller for synchronous actuation so as to be closed whenever a printing section passes through said printing line, and electric operating means including a movable member operatively connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position.

2. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller, one of said rollers being movable to md from a printing position located in close proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing sections; sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of rotation of said printing roller, said sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing roller and movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line and producing an electric impulse when sensing a marking; electric storing means connected to and controlled by said sensing means for receiving an impulse produced by the same and for storing the same in an impulse storing condition; and circuit means including switch means connected to and actuated by said storing means in said impulse storing condition, contact means, a rotary member operatively connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and to said contact means for actuating the same whenever a printing section passes through said printing line, and electric operating means including a movable member operatively connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and 8 said circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position.

3. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller, one of said rollers being movable to and from a printing position located in close proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing sections; sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of rotation of said printing roller, said sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing roller and movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line; storing means connected to and controlled by said sensing means and assuming a storing condition when the same senses a marking; and circuit means including switch means connected to and actuated by said storing means in said storing condition, a plurality of first contacts respectively correlated with said printing sections, a second contact, a rotary member opcratively connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and to said contacts for connecting said second contact with any first contact whose correlated printing section passes through said printing line, and electromagnetic operating means including a movable member operatively connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position.

4. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller, one of said rollers being movable to and from a printing position located in closed proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing sections; sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of rotation of said printing roller, said sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing roller and movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line and producing an electric impulse when sensing a marking; electric storing means connected to and controlled by said sensing means for receiving an impulse produced by the same and for storing the same in an impulse storing condition; and circuit means including switch means connected to and actuated by said storing means in said impulse storing condition, a plurality of first contacts respectively correlated with said printing sections, a second contact, a rotary member operatively connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and to said contacts for connecting said second contact with any first contact; Whose correlated printing section passes through said printing line, and electromagnetic operating means including a movable member operatively connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position.

5. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller, one of said rollers being movable to and from a printing position located in close proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing sections; sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of rotation of said printing roller, said sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing roller and movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line and producing an electric impulse when sensing a marking; a first circuit means including an electronic switch connected to said sensing means and corn trolled by electric impulses produced by the same, first contact means, a rotary member operatively connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and to said first contact means for closing the same whenever one of said markings passes said sensing means, anda plurality of relay means respectively correlated with said markings and being energized when said electronic switch and said first contact means are closed; and second circuit means including a switch means connected to and actuated by each energized relay means, second contact means operatively connected to said rotary member so as to be actuated whenever a printing section passes through said printing line, and electromagnetic operating means including a movable member operatively connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said second circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position.

6. An arrangement as set forth in claim wherein said first circuit means includes a holding contact means for each relay means and operated by the respective relay means.

7. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller, one of said rollers being movable to and from a printing position located in close proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing sections; sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of rotation of said printing roller, said sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing roller and movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line and producing an electric impulse when sensing a marking; a first circuit means including an electronic switch connected to said sensing means and controlled by electric impulses produced by the same, first contact means, a rotary member operatively connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and to said first contact means for closing the same whenever one of said markings passes said sensing means, a plurality of relay means respectively correlated with said markings and being energized when saidclectronic switch and said first contact means are closed, a holding contact means for each relay means and closed by'the respective relay means when the same is energized, and a normally closed clearing switch connected in series with said relay means; a rotary cam member connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and operating said clearing switch to open when said printing roller approaches the end-of one revolution whereby said second contact means operatively connected to saidrotary relay means are de-energized; and second circuit means member so as to be actuated whenever a printing section passes through said printing line, and electromagnetic operating means including a movable member operatively connected to said one roller for moving the same"- to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said second circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position. 7

8. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller, one of-said rollers being movable to and from a printing position located in close proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing sections and havinglight reflecting properties different from the light reflecting properties of the surface of said sheet means; photoelectric sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of rotation of said printing roller, said photoelectric sensing means including a source of light projecting a beam of light at an angle at the surface of said sheet means in the region of said markings and a photocell located for receiving light reflected by said markings and by said surface of said sheetmeans, said photoelectric sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing rollerand movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line and producing an electric impulse when sensing a marking; electric storing means connected to and controlled by said sensing means for receiving an impulse produced by the same and for storing the same in an impulse storing condition; and circuit means including switch means connected to and actuated by said storing'means in said impulse storing condition, contact means, a rotary member operatively connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and to said contact means for actuating the same whenever a printing section passes through said printing line, and electric operating means including a movable member operatively connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position.

9. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller, one of said rollers being movable to and from a printing position located in close proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing sections and having light reflecting properties different from the light reflecting properties of the surface of said sheet means; photoelectric sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printi printing section passes through said printing line and producing anelectric impulse when sensing a marking; a first circuit'means'including a thyratron' having a grid connected to said photo cell'of said sensing means and controlled by electric impulses produced by the same, first contact means, a rotary member operatively connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and to said first contact means for closing the same whenever one of said markings passes said sensing means, and a plurality of relay means respectively correlated with said markings and being energized when said electronic switch and said first contact means are closed; and second circuit means including a switch means connected to and actuated by each energized relay means, second contact means operatively connected to said rotary member so as to be actuated whenever a, printing section passes through said printing line, and electromagnetic operating means including a movable member operatively connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said second circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position.

10. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller, one of said rollers being movable to and from a printing position located in close proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing sections; sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of rotation of said printing roller, said sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing roller and movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line and producing an electric impulse when sensing a marking; a first circuit means including an electronic switch connected to said sensing means and controlled by electric impulses produced by the same, a rotary switch means including a plurality of first contact members arranged along a circle and respectively correlated with said printing sections, a first circular contact, and a rotary member having a first conductor for connecting said first contact members successively to said circular contact, said rotary member being operativcly connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation for connecting each first contact member to said cir-, cular contact whenever the correlated marking passes said sensing means, and a plurality of relay means respectively correlated with said markings and being energized when said electronic switch and said first contact means are closed; and second circuit means including a witch means connected to and actuated by each energized relay means, a second rotary switch means including a plurality of second contact members respectively correlated with said printing sections and arranged in a circle angularly spaced from first contact members correlated with the same printing section, a second circular contact, said rotary member having a second conductor for successively connecting each second contact member with said second circular conductor so that each second contact member is connected to said second circular contact whenever the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line, and electromagnetic operating means including a movable member operatively connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said second circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position.

11. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller, one of said rollers being movable to and from a printing position located in close proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing sections and having light reflecting properties different from the light reflecting properties of the surface of said sheet means; photoelectric sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of rotation of said printing roller, said photoelectric sensing means including a source of light projecting a beam of light at an angle at the surface of said sheet means in the region of said markings and a photocell located for receiving light reflected by said markings and by said surface of said sheet means, said photoelectric sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing roller and movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line and producing an electric impulse when sensing a marking; a first circuit means including a thyratron having a grid connected to said photocell of said sensing means and controlled by electric impulses produced by the same, a rotary switch means including a plurality of first contact members arranged along a circle and respectively correlated with said printing sections, a first circular contact, and a rotary member having a first conductor for con meeting said first contact members successively to said circular contact, said rotary member being operatively connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation for connecting each first contact member to said circular contact Whenever the correlated marking passes said sensing means, and a plurality of relay means respectively correlated with said markings and being energized when said electronic switch and said first contact means are closed; and second circuit means including a witch means connected to and actuated by each energized relay means, a second rotary switch means including a plurality of second contact members respectively correlated with said printing sections and arranged in a circle angularly spaced from first contact members correlated with the same printing section, a second circular contact, said rotary member having a second conductor for successively connecting each second contact member with said second circular conductor so that each second contact member is connected to said second circular contact whenever the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line, and electromagnetic operating means including a movable member operativcly connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said second circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position.

12. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in One direction; a counter pressure roller, one of said rollers being movable to and from a printing position located in close proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing sections and having light reflecting properties different from the light reflecting properties of the surface of said sheet means; photoelectric sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of rotation of said printing roller, said photoelectric sensing means including a source of light projecting a beam of light at an angle at the surface of said sheet means in the region of said markings and a photocell located for receiving light reflected by said markings and by said surface of said sheet means, said photoelectric sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing 13' roller and movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line and producing an electric impulse when sensing a marking; a first circuit means including a thyratron having a grid connected to said photocell of said sensing means and controlled by electric impulses produced by the same, first contact means, a rotary member operatively connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and to said first contact means for closing the same Whenever one of said markings passes said sensing means, a plurality of relay means respectively correlated with said markings and being energized when said electronic switch and said first contact means are closed, a holding contact means for each relay means and closed by the respective relay means when the same is energized, and a normally closed clearing switch connected in series with said relay means; a rotary cam member connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and operating said clearing switch to open when said printing roller approaches the end of one revolution whereby said relay means are de-energized; and second circuit means including a switch means connected to and actuated by each energized relay means, second contact means operatively connected to said rotary member so as to be actuated whenever a printing section passes through said printing line, and electromagnetic operating means including a movable member operatively connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said second circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position.

13. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller, one of said rollers being movable to and from a printing position located in close proximity with the and a normally closed clearing switch connected in series with said relay means; a rotary cam member connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and operating said clearing switch to open when said printing roller approaches the end of one revolution whereby said relay means are de-energized; and second circuit means including a switch means connected to and actuated by each energized relay means, a second rotary switch means including a plurality of second contact members. respectively correlated with said printing sections and arranged in a circle angularly spaced from first contact members correlated with the same printing section, a second circular Contact, said rotary member having a second conductor for successively connecting each second contact member with said second circular conductor so that each second contact member is connected to said second circular contact whenever the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing hue, and electromagnetic operating means including a movable member operatively connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said second circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position.

14. An arrangement as set forth in claim 13 and ineluding an indicator means correlated with each relay other roller and defining with the same a printing line;

feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing sections and having light reflecting properties different from the light reflecting properties of the surface of said sheet means; photoelectric sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of rotation of said printing roller, said photoelectric sensing means in cluding a source of light projecting a beam of light at an angle at the surface of said sheet means in the region of said markings and a photocell located for receiving light reflected by said markings and by said surface of said sheet means, said photoelectric sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing roller and movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line and producing an electric impulse when sensing a marking; a first circuit means including a thyratron having a grid connected to said photocell of said sensing means and controlled by electric impuises produced by the same, a rotary switch means including a plurality of first contact members arranged along a circle and respectively correlated with said printing sections, a first circular contact, and a rotary member having a first conductor for connecting said first contact members successively to said circular contact, said rotary member being operatively connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation for connecting each first contact member to said circular contact whenever the correlated marking passes said sensing means, a plurality of relay means respectively correlated with said markings being energized when said electronic switch and said first contact means are closed, a holding contact means for each relay means and closed by the respective relay means when the same is energized,

means, and a switch in series with each indicator means and controlled by the respectiverelay means for operating said indicator means when the respective relay means is energized.

15. An arrangement as set forth in claim 13 and including a manually operated switch connected in parallel with each of said switch means for closing said second circuit means when the respective relay means is not energized.

16. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller, one of said rollers being movable toand from a printing position located in close proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing secticns; sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of rotation of said printing roller, said sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing roller and movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line and producing an electric impulse when sensing a marking; electric storing means including a set of relay means respectively correlated with said printing sections and connected and controlled by said sensing 7 means for receiving an impulse produced by the same and forstoring the same in an energized condition; and circuit means including a set of switch means respectively connected to and actuated by said relay means in said energized condition, contact means, a rotary member operatively connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and to said contact means for actuating the same whenever a printing section passes through said printing line, and electric operating means including a movable 1 member operativeiy connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position.

17. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller,

one of said rollers being movable to and from a-printing. position located in close proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively cor-related with said printing sections; sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of. rotation of said printing roller, said sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing roller and movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line and producing an electric impulse when sensing a marking; electric storing means including a set of relay means respectively correlated with said printing sections and connected to and controlled by said sensing means for receiving an impulse produced by the same and for storing the same in an energized condition; and circuit means including a set of switch means respectively connected to and actuated by said relay means in said energized condition, a manually operated switch connected in parallel with each of said switch means for closing said circuit means when said relay means do not actuate said switch means, contact means, a rotary member operatively connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and to said contact means for actuating the same whenever a printing section passes through said printing line, and electric operating means including a movable member operatively connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position.

18. In a printing machine, in combination, a printing roller rotatable in one direction; a counter pressure roller, one of said rollers being movable to and from a printing position located in close proximity with the other roller and defining with the same a printing line; feeding means for feeding copy sheets to said rollers; sheet means detachably mounted on the peripheral surface of said printing roller and having a set of printing sections and a set of markings respectively correlated with said printing sec' tions; sensing means located adjacent said sheet means and located before said printing line in the direction of rotation of said printing roller, said sensing means successively sensing said markings during rotation of said printing roller and movement of said sheet means before the respective correlated printing section passes through said printing line and producing an electric impulse when sensing a marking; electric storing means including a set of relay means respectively correlated with said printing sections and connected to and controlled by said sensing means for receiving an impulse produced by the same and for storing the same in an energized condition; circuit means including a set of switch means respectively connected to and actuated by said relay means in said energized condition, a holding contact means for each relay means and closed by the energized relay, a normally closed clearing switch connected in series with said relay means, contact means, a rotary member operatively connected to said printing roller for synchronous rotation and to said contact means for actuating the same whenever a printing section passes through said printing line, and electric operating means including a movable member operatively connected to said one roller for moving the same to and from said printing position whereby each marking is sensed and said circuit means is prepared by closing said switch means before the correlated printing section passes through said printing line and said one roller is moved to said printing position; and a member connected to said printing roller for synchronous operation and opening said clearing switch at the end of one revolution of said printing roller.

19. An arrangement as set forth in claim 18 wherein at least some of said markings are spaced in axial direction of said printing roller from other markings; and including a support for said sensing means shiftable in axial direction of said printing roller for operativcly connecting said sensing means with different axially spaced markings.

20. An arrangement as set forth in claim 19 and including a control member connected to said printing roller for synchronous operation; and shifting means for shifting said support stepwise in said axial direction and being operatively connected to and controlled by said control member to shift said support and thereby said sensing means at the end of each revolution of said printing roller.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

